Announcements

Each year the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) schedules proactive health and safety campaigns/initiatives to raise awareness of workplace hazards and promote compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations.

The 2024/25 MLITSD compliance initiatives have been announced and are underway.

Their plans can be found on the Ontario.ca website.

Three initiatives impacting agriculture and industrial operations are running this year.

• Material Handling (April 1, 2024 – March 1, 2025)
  * workplace inspections have begun
  
• Exposure to Chemical Agents (April 1, 2024 – March 1, 2025)
  * workplace inspections begin July 2, 2024
  
• WHMIS Training (April 1, 2024 – March 1, 2025)
  * workplace inspections begin July 2, 2024

Learn more.

An additional focused inspection has also been announced: Southwestern Ontario Steel Industry Inspection Initiative. WSPS is partnering with the MLITSD to provide educational webinars to impacted businesses.

Over the last few years, the steel and heavy manufacturing sector in southwestern Ontario has experienced a number of critical workplace injuries and fatalities. Inspections revealed that three major occupational health and safety infractions were involved: material handling, guarding and lockout.

To prevent future workplace injuries, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) will be conducting a proactive inspection campaign in the southwestern Ontario region (Hamilton, Niagara areas), focused on workplaces within the steel and heavy manufacturing sectors. Specifically, inspectors will visit:

• businesses with a high rate of Workplace Safety & Insurance Board lost-time injury claims;
• companies with a history of right to refuse calls or concerns made to the ministry;
• workplaces that have not been visited in the last five years; or
• new unregistered workplaces.

Inspections run April 1 – September 30, 2024.

Free webinars

In support of this initiative, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) is partnering with the MLITSD to deliver a series of webinars aimed at educating and empowering employers with information to strengthen their health and safety programs.

Following each presentation there will be a live Q&A session with representatives from the MLITSD and WSPS.

These events are virtual and offered at no cost. Registration is required.

• Supervisor Responsibilities in the Steel Industry (April 26, 2024)
  This session will cover key supervisor responsibilities, and how the role of the supervisor fits into the Internal Responsibility System. Additionally, the hazard control process (RACE) will be discussed to assist supervisors in recognizing, assessing, controlling and evaluating hazards in their workplace.

• Material Handling in the Steel Industry (May 16, 2024)
  This session offers a deep dive into material handling hazards specific to the steel industry. It will introduce a broad spectrum of material handling topics, from pedestrian safety and proper racking procedures, to improper movement of materials and working near lifting devices.

• Lockout Tagout (LOTO): Insights in the Steel Industry (June 13, 2024)
  This session will outline common tasks where lockout is required, and discuss the importance of creating machine-specific lockout instructions instead of relying on generic practices.

Ontario is looking to fill gaps in its labour market by welcoming newcomers to the province at historic levels.

This, in addition to temporary foreign workers, means tens of thousands of new Canadians will be entering our workforce, bringing with them a varied understanding of health and safety rights, responsibilities, and workplace hazards. Language barriers may also complicate their ability to integrate into the workforce safely.

Knowing this, WSPS has developed multilingual learning resources to support the high-risk sectors of agriculture and manufacturing. Each aims to reduce injuries and fatalities by raising worker safety awareness and provides simple instructions for staying safe on the job.

Optimized for viewing on mobile devices, these tips and short, animated videos target hazards that can cause serious harm and were developed in languages identified by industry stakeholders as an area of need.

The new agriculture resources include:

• Ladders and heights

• Safely working with machines

• Safely working with tractors

And are available in

• Spanish

• Thai

• Vietnamese

Access the agricultural worker safety resources.

The new manufacturing resources include:

• Loading and unloading trailers safely
• Lockout tagout: Staying safe with hazardous energy
• Machine and conveyor safety
• Racking
• Pedestrian safety: Safety around cars, vans and trucks
• Safe lifting
• Slips, trips and falls

And are available in

• French
• Mandarin
• Punjabi
• Spanish
• Tagalog

Access the manufacturing worker safety resources.

Employers are encouraged to share these resources to help their workers better understand how to protect themselves on the job and make workplaces safer.

They may also wish to download and display the following QR code poster in their workplace, so workers can scan the code and quickly access the resources they need in their language of choice.

• Agriculture Multi-language Worker Safety Resources Poster
• Manufacturing Multi-language Worker Safety Resources Poster

With knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, new Canadians, temporary foreign workers and others who identify English as their second language can become advocates for health and safety and a resource to coworkers and their community.

WSPS is simplifying complex safety requirements for small businesses. Introducing the Health & Safety Handbook Generator, your one-stop solution for simplifying occupational health & safety compliance at your small business within minutes.

The Orientation Handbook provides an overview of health and safety legislation in Ontario, outlining the responsibilities of the employer, supervisor, and worker as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). From your responsibilities under the OHSA to providing essential safety policies and procedures, our handbook has got you covered.

The Health & Safety handbook is completely customizable and compliance-friendly, and all at no cost to you.

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to clarity with just 3 simple steps:

1. Click on the link.
2. Enter your information and save.
3. Download your tailor-made handbook.

Get Started.

The electric vehicle (EV) market is growing, and Ontario is fast becoming a leader.

While some have a good understanding of EV battery safety (e.g. battery and vehicle manufacturers), it is a relatively new hazard for many, including auto parts suppliers, auto repair shops, collision and body service providers and auto recyclers.

To address this, WSPS collaborated with industry groups and associations to identify the hazards associated with working on or around electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries. Our findings are captured in two new resources, intended to help businesses and employers anticipate and manage risks in their workplace.

• Plugged into safety: A primer on the hazards of working with battery electric vehicles
  Intended as a starting point for critical conversations in the workplace, this white paper includes general information about lithium-ion batteries, the hazards of working on or around them, existing legislation that can help mitigate these hazards and insights from subject matter experts.
• Checklist: Electric Vehicles: Safety Hazards Associated with Working On or Around the Battery
  A checklist to support employers with identifying hazards associated with working on or around electric vehicle batteries, as well as legislative references and recommended controls.

An extension of WSPS' 2020-2023 roadmap, WSPS is proud to announce its 2024-2026 Strategic Plan.

Aligned with our core mandate, we're looking to expand our reach and will be focused on

🔹 Helping those who need us the most.

🔹 Using technology to improve how critical health and safety is delivered.

🔹 Advocating for cultures that prioritize the prevention of harm.

Give it a read.

On April 8, 2024, North America will experience a total solar eclipse; the Moon will pass between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun from our view. This will cause the sky to darken as if it were dawn or dusk. The event will occur between 2 and 4 p.m., depending on your location.

Although eclipses occur about every 18 months somewhere in the world, this is a relatively rare event for Ontario – the most recent occurring in Northern Ontario in 1979 – and as such, there is a lot of interest. However, looking directly at the Sun can cause temporary or permanent damage to the eyes without the use of specialized eyewear.

As this event takes place during the traditional workday, safety needs to be top of mind. Employers have a duty to inform workers who work outside about the risks.

Our prevention system partners, Infrastructure Health & Safety Association, offer the following tips:

• Deliver a safety talk to inform workers of the health risks that come with looking at the sun, including during an eclipse.
• Complete a hazard analysis that accounts for the change in conditions and tasks being completed during the eclipse. Review the analysis with workers.
• A total eclipse creates temporary darkness. Ensure the jobsite is adequately lit and that workers wear high-visibility clothing.
• Inform workers of safe ways to view the eclipse, emphasizing the importance of using approved eye protection, not makeshift filters.
• Set up a designated eclipse-viewing area—with proper equipment such as ISO-approved solar viewers or pinhole cameras—where interested workers can observe the event safely.
• Let workers know to seek immediate medical help if they experience health issues during the eclipse
  

Additional information on the eclipse:

• Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
• Canadian Space Agency
• Canadian Association of Optometrists

Watching your child head off to work can be exciting. It can also be scary. And with good reason.

Young workers aged 15 to 24 are at an increased risk of getting hurt on the job.

In 2022 alone, close to 35,000 were injured at work (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) and 13 died on the job (Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, National Work Injury/Disease Statistics Program).

In addition, they’re at a greater risk of having their employment rights violated, are more likely to feel pressure to perform, are reluctant to ask questions and fearful of raising concerns.

But it isn’t all bad news. With the right knowledge, teens can enter the workforce and take on new responsibilities safely.

And you can play a big part in making this happen.

First Job, Safe Job

Introducing First Job, Safe Job – a new blog designed to support parents and caregivers in their quest to keep the young workers in their lives safe on the job.

With a focus on making safety relevant, relatable, and interesting, First Job, Safe Job provides health and safety information and practical advice, along with creative ways to pass on these important messages.

Learn more.

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) provides health and safety services and solutions for Ontario’s manufacturing, agriculture and services sectors.

If you represent a business in one of these sectors (and are therefore, a “member”) and would like to be notified of your option to attend WSPS’ Annual General Meeting (AGM), please complete and submit this form. Doing so will allow WSPS to send you meeting invitations electronically.

Please note that, due to environmental considerations, WSPS will be seeking legal approval to abstain from sending out print invitations to the AGM every year. If approval is not granted, print invitations will continue to be mailed out.

Thank you. If you have any questions, please contact AGM@wsps.ca.

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services is pleased to announce that Patricia Perez will be joining the association as Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer on January 15, 2024.

Patricia brings 18 years of progressive experience with the Government of Ontario, most recently in the position of Chief Administrative Officer/Assistant Deputy Minister with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. In that role, she provided leadership and strategic advice to two Deputy Ministers and ministry senior executive teams on a broad range of corporate service functions and initiatives. She obtained her MBA from York University and her Bachelor of Science from Queen’s University.

A collaborative and inclusive leader, Patricia places a priority on developing positive team culture and professional development and growth.

We look forward to welcoming her to WSPS.

The Ontario government is introducing new legislation, that if passed would provide additional protections for Ontario workers.

Elements of the Working for Workers Four Act, 2023 legislation:

• Require employers to disclose salary ranges in job postings.
• Require employers to disclose if artificial intelligence is used during the hiring process.
• Ban the use of Canadian work experience as a requirement in job postings or application forms.
• Strengthen wage protections for restaurant and hospitality workers by banning unpaid trial shifts, disallow employers from deducting an employee’s wages in the event of customer theft.
• Require employers to post in the workplace if they have a policy of sharing pooled tips.
• Require employers who pay tips using direct deposit to allow employees to select the account tips are deposited into.
• Enable “super indexing” increases to Workplace Safety and Insurance Board benefits above the annual rate of inflation.
• Restrict the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements in cases of workplace sexual misconduct.
• Improve cancer coverage for firefighters and fire investigators by lowering the duration of employment needed to receive presumed (automatic) compensation prior to diagnosis with esophageal cancer from 25 to 15 years.

Find out more.

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services set out to identify the top health and safety risks facing the food and manufacturing industry, with a goal to develop the solutions and controls needed to protect workers and reduce lost time injuries (LTIs) across this high-risk sector.

A group of industry insiders were brought together to conduct this important work, including food manufacturing management and worker representatives. Using an integrated risk management methodology introduced by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), they guided the process with their experiences, insights and perspectives.

Identifying top health and safety risks in food manufacturing

In October 2022, a risk assessment workshop was held to identify the top occupational health and safety risks to workers in the industry. Sixty were identified. Each were reviewed and ranked based on likelihood and severity of potential consequences. The top 10 are outlined in this infographic. The number one threat to worker safety was inadequate or improper lockout/tag out (LOTO).

Finding and identifying the root causes

In February 2023, industry experts were brought together again for a root-cause analysis exercise to better understand the underlying causes of inadequate LOTO. In addition, they generated ideas for practical and effective solutions for employers, workers, industry associations and government related to this hazard.

To help communicate the results of this work, the following were developed:

• Top 10 Root Causes of Inadequate Lockout/Tag Out in Food Manufacturing (infographic)
• Health & Safety Risks and Opportunities in the Food Manufacturing industry: By the industry, for the industry (white paper)
  Delve into the findings of the Root Causes Analysis workshop to learn about top health and safety risks and opportunities in the food manufacturing industry, as identified by industry insiders.
• Manufacturing Root Causes Analysis Inadequate Lockout/Tag Out (technical paper)
  A deep dive into the methodology and finding so the Food Manufacturing Risk Assessment and Root Cause Analysis research project, facilitated by WSPS and led by industry leaders.

Supporting workplaces to address health and safety risks

Food manufacturers looking to improve their health and safety practices can make use of these newly developed toolkits.

• Toolkit: Food Manufacturing Common Hazards & Solutions
  Get access to current resources and workplace bet practices to address the top 10 risks in food manufacturing.
• Toolkit: Food Manufacturing Root Causes Analysis Inadequate Lockout/Tag Out
  Get current resources to address inadequate lockout/tag out in food manufacturing.

A gap analysis is underway to identify potential opportunities for WSPS to develop new solutions and controls informed by the results of the Risk Assessment and Root Cause Analysis.

Learn more.

By law (Occupational Health and Safety Act, section 25.2 and O. Reg. 559/22), businesses at risk of a worker opioid overdose are required to have at least one naloxone kit available onsite and staff trained in its use.

To support the compliance of this legislation, Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program was established, providing eligible employers free naloxone training for up to two workers and one free nasal spray naloxone kit per workplace.

The program launched with two training providers; however, to increase training access to employers, there are now eight official training providers in total.

For more information about this program, visit Ontario.ca.

To better understand the naloxone in the workplace legislation and its application, WSPS offers the following free learning resources:

• Naloxone Awareness (free 30-minute eCourse)
• Safety Connection – Naloxone Kits: Understand how it Impacts your Workplace (recorded webinar)
• New naloxone kit requirement: 7 things you need to know now (article)
• New naloxone requirements: Do you need to comply? Your top questions answered (article)
• Naloxone Kits in the Workplace (Safety Tip Video Series)
• Small Biz Safety Podcast – Episode 24: New naloxone requirements. Will they impact your business?
• Naloxone kits and addiction in the workplace: balancing privacy with responsibility (article)

The Ontario government has committed to creating Canada’s first-ever Occupational Exposure Registry. This Registry will help address many of the 41 recommendations resulting from the Occupational Disease Landscape Review (released October 10, 2023).

The Registry will:

• track harmful exposure levels.
• help diagnose workplace diseases faster.
• improve worker compensation.
• reduce costs to the healthcare system.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) will work with the Occupational Cancer Research Centre to collect and analyze data from existing Ministry industrial hygiene records, as well as work with healthcare providers and industry associations to gather new data and catalogue past and current occupational exposures across Ontario workplaces.

In addition, an Occupational Illness Leadership Table will be created. Composed of industry experts, worker advocates, medical professionals and workplace health and safety groups, this group will guide the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

The Registry is expected to be ready in 2025.

An occupational illness is a condition that results from exposure to a physical, chemical or biological agent in the workplace to the extent that normal physiological mechanisms are affected, and the health of the worker is impaired.

Learn more.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) is seeking feedback from workplaces on two potential additions to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA):

Heat Stress: Proposed New Regulation Consultation

The MLITSD is proposing a stand-alone heat stress regulation under the OHSA. This new regulation would apply to all workplaces that fall under the OHSA. These new regulations would:

Introduce heat stress exposure limits based on the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) method.

Provide for the use of other methods to assess a worker’s risk of exposure to heat stress.

Require employers to identify and implement measures and procedures to control heat exposures based on the “hierarchy of controls”.

Require employers to provide workers with information and instruction on recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and the measures to protect themselves.

The MLITSD is asking workplaces for comments and feedback about the anticipated costs and benefits of implementing these proposed amendments. Comments are due by September 18, 2023.

Find out more about the consultation & submit feedback.

Poor Outdoor Air Quality and Workplace Health & Safety Consultation

Currently, the OHSA does not specifically address poor outdoor air quality. Under the OHSA, employers have a general duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker, including protecting workers from the hazards associated with poor outdoor air.

The MLITSD is seeking feedback from businesses on whether poor outdoor air quality is an issue for them, and if the OHSA and/or its regulations may need to be changed. Comments are due by September 18, 2023.

Find out more about the consultation & submit feedback.

The number of wildfires Canada has experienced to date this year is well above average (Natural Resources Canada. June 28, 2023. National Wildland Fire Situation Report).

These wildfires have prompted special air quality statements for much of the province of Ontario.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development: Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces Division, has developed an updated Q&A document to address workplace air quality concerns and provide information on the mitigation of risk to workers. This replaces a previous version circulated in June 2023.

NOTE: The information provided in this document is intended for general workplaces which may be encountering poor air quality due to wildfire smoke or other causes; not firefighters or other workers who regularly work close to active fires.

Each year the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) schedules compliance initiatives and/or campaigns to:

• protect workers' rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Employment Standards Act.
• enhance employers' awareness of their responsibilities.
• raise awareness about hazard in the workplace.

• increase compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations.

Three initiatives impacting agriculture and industrial operations are running this year. As of July 4, 2023, inspections for all three will be underway.

• Manual Materials Handling (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024)
  * workplace inspections have begun and run until March 31, 2024
  
• Respiratory Protection Program (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024)
  * workplace inspections run July 4, 2023 – March 31, 2024
  
• Asbestos in Building Structures (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024)
  * workplace inspections run July 4, 2023 – March 31, 2024

Supports are available to help businesses prepare.

Learn more.

Several provinces and territories are already enduring a severe wildfire season. These wildfires have prompted special air quality statements for much of the province of Ontario.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development: Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces Division, has developed a Q&A document to address workplace air quality concerns and provide information on the mitigation of risk to workers.

NOTE: The information provided in this document is intended for general workplaces which may be encountering poor air quality due to wildfire smoke or other causes; not firefighters or other workers who regularly work close to active fires.

On June 1, 2023, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Sec. 25.2) will require workplaces at risk of a worker opioid overdose to have at least one naloxone kit available onsite and have staff trained in its use.

An associated regulation, Naloxone Kits (O. Reg. 559/22) also comes into effect, which prescribes the contents of a naloxone kit, and sets out additional requirements related to the kit’s provision and maintenance.

Understanding the responsibilities of your workplace
Although not every workplace will be required to have naloxone onsite, every business should understand the legislation so that they are better equipped to make decisions around this legal requirement.

Free Training & Learning Resources
WSPS offers the following free resources to help businesses understand this new legislation:

• Naloxone Awareness (eCourse)
• Safety Connection – Naloxone Kits: Understand how it Impacts your Workplace (event)
• New naloxone requirements: Do you need to comply? Your top questions answered (article)
• Naloxone Kits in the Workplace (Safety Tip Video Series)
• Naloxone kits and addiction in the workplace: balancing privacy with responsibility (article)

Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program

The Ontario government is offering support to employers who are required to comply with these new requirements by providing free naloxone training for up to two workers per workplace and/or one free nasal spray naloxone kit per workplace. Information about this program can be found on their website.

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services is pleased to announce that Jody Young will join the association in the role of President and Chief Executive Officer on June 12, 2023.

Jody is a health and safety leader with over 30 years of experience in both public and private sectors. Most recently, she held the role of Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Training Division with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. In that role, she provided strategic leadership to the transformation of Employment Services in Ontario. Previously, she served as Assistant Deputy Minister for Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces in both Ontario and Alberta.

Jody is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and completed her Honours Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto.

The WSPS team looks forward to helping keep Ontario workers safe under Jody’s leadership.

From April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) will be conducting a Material Handling Initiative focused on facilities or operations where large or bulky materials, articles or things are lifted, carried, or moved.

Inspections begin May 1, 2023, and the following industries may be visited:

• Farming and Agricultural Services
• Automotive
• Chemical, rubber and plastics
• Food, beverage & tobacco
• Industrial services
• Primary metals
• Pulp & paper
• Transportation
• Wood and Metal Fabrication
  
  

Free Webinars

WSPS is hosting two free webinars in coordination with the MLITSD to help businesses prepare:

• April 17, 2023 (manufacturing focus)
• April 20, 2023 (agriculture focus)

Attendees will learn about key inspection priority areas, locations and types of workplaces, and how to prepare for a focused inspection. Helpful material handling injury prevention information and resources will also be reviewed.

Learn more and register for these events.

In light of the recent decision by our federal and provincial governments to ban the social media platform TikTok from all government employee devices, WSPS has decided to follow suit. In addition, WSPS will be deactivating our TikTok account effective March 31, 2023.

WSPS’ TikTok account was focused on reaching young workers with the health and safety information they need to stay safe on the job. We will continue to creatively provide this knowledge on our Instagram account going forward.

WSPS is active on other social media platforms as well: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

The Ontario government is proposing amendments to the Construction Projects Regulation which would require personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing be properly fitted to women and workers with diverse body types. In addition, this legislation would require all jobsites to have at least one women’s-only washroom.

If approved and filed, the proposed regulatory amendments would come into force on July 1, 2023.

This announcement comes on the heels of a recent CSA Group study which concluded that poor design and fit of PPE was putting women workers at greater risk.

Learn more